Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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531. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed in September 2018. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities with €55 million allocated to the fund in Budget 2019.

Applications made for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts, which was established to oversee the assessment process.

My role is to consider and approve the recommendations that emerge from the assessment process outlined above. The process of assessment for the first call for proposals is ongoing.

However, I am now informed that my Department is aware of concerns relating to a particular application and this matter will be dealt with appropriately.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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532. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on a matter (details supplied). [4000/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Under Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed €1 billion to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. The Fund has been allocated €315m over the period 2019 to 2022, with €55m set aside in my Department's budget for successful projects in 2019.

The first call for applications for the Fund closed at the end of September and there was an excellent response from all across the country, with 280 applications received.

Applications for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts, which was established to oversee the assessment process. Category 1 "shovel ready" projects were prioritised in the assessment process in the first instance and Category 2 projects - those which need development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications - are also now being considered.

My role is to consider and approve the recommendations that emerge from the assessment process outlined above. While the process of assessment for the first call for proposals remains ongoing, I expect that a further announcement detailing successful Category 1 and Category 2 projects will take place shortly, with a second call for the Fund taking place later in the year.